The political landscape of Phichit province took a bizarre turn when Witya Mala, an independent candidate aiming to secure a seat on the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), reportedly encountered an unforeseen and dramatic twist in his election campaign journey. Mere hours before the polls were set to open, the candidate and his wife vanished in a cloak-and-dagger scenario that has the whole town and nearby provinces buzzing with speculation and intrigue. Witya managed to reach out to his father from what seemed to be an involuntary hideout somewhere in Nakhon Sawan. Speaking with urgency yet tempered assurance, he informed his father that he was in the hands of mysterious captors, who promised to release him the following day. While the words provided a faint trace of relief, the situation was far from comforting. The incident reached the journalists’ grapevine in the late afternoon on January 31st, igniting whispers and worries…
Posts published in “Thailand”
There’s never a dull moment in the bustling province of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. As if January didn’t have enough excitement already, the last day of the month featured its own dramatic spectacle. Picture this: a vibrant, picturesque district of Warin Chamrap, where the sun lazily dips beneath the horizon, when suddenly, searing flames danced wildly at a petrol station. It was a fiery saga that unfolded at 6.30 PM on January 31, casting an ominous glow against the night sky. This incident couldn’t have chosen a worse co-star, coinciding with a Molotov cocktail attack at Somdet Phra Yuparat Hospital in Det Udom District. This fiery drama was shared far and wide, courtesy of the ever-watchful Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page, providing a digital front-row seat to the chaos. Their images painted a vivid picture of the inferno, with the location tagged as Ban Non Hon on Warin-Samrong Road. Equipped…
In a baffling turn of events in Ubon Ratchathani’s otherwise tranquil Det Udom district, a shocking episode of arson took center stage last Friday. The usually peaceful atmosphere was disrupted when a 40-year-old man’s fiery antics resulted in havoc at the local hospital, creating quite the uproar and, of course, a viral stir, courtesy of a Facebook clip shared by the Det Udom police. The stage for this dramatic incident was a seemingly ordinary hospital building – or so it appeared until it became the centerpiece of a dangerous display involving flames and unnerving chaos. Patients had to be swiftly evacuated as flames rolled through the corridors, and amid the calamity, four individuals sustained injuries. The man behind this fiery escapade was apprehended on the very night of his alleged crime by the vigilant officers of Na Yia station. Yet, his identity remains under wraps, perhaps to maintain a shroud…
Bangkok’s mercurial landscape is always buzzing with energy, forming a whirling maelstrom of excitement, color, and for some—unfortunately—pollution. So, here’s the latest endeavor from Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, to help clear the air, literally! In an audacious move to tackle the mounting air quality crisis caused by the notorious fine particulate matter, PM2.5, Chadchart has rolled up his sleeves to tackle an age-old practice: rice field burning. Recently fired up in the district of Nong Chok, this initiative doesn’t just stop there—it plans to engulf 80,000 rai of rice paddies across 10 districts like Khlong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang, roping in about 4,000 farming households. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) hasn’t exactly been sitting on their hands! Their determined efforts over the past few years have already resulted in a jaw-dropping reduction of these fiery infernos. In 2022, 5,625 rai were charred post-harvest, but that number plummeted to 625…
Imagine walking into a bustling hub of activity, not soundtracked by the usual city noise, but by the relentless whirl of countless cooling fans combating the dizzying heat generated by an extensive illegal Bitcoin mining operation. Such was the backdrop of the dramatic raid conducted by the Thai police in Samut Sakhon on January 31. The mining malfeasance had surreptitiously simmered beneath the radar, draining untold kilowatts of electricity and racking up financial devastation exceeding 500 million baht over a three-year marathon of misappropriation. This clandestine crypto creation was laid bare thanks to a keen dose of sleuthing on the part of the discerning detectives of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Acting on uncanny power consumption patterns reported by the eagle-eyed Provincial Electricity Authority, the DSI descended upon three unsuspecting warehouses—each a veiled vault of high-tech thievery. Here, stashed away like digital secret agents, were 1,788 crypto-mining machines. In…
In a world where technology reigns supreme and convenience takes center stage, ensuring the security of mobile banking is as vital as ever. Kasikornbank, well aware of this, has recently announced a crucial update that requires mobile banking customers to verify that their registered name is consistent with the name on their mobile SIM card. This adjustment, expected to be completed by April 30, seeks to bolster mobile banking security, offering customers an extra layer of protection in these digitally-driven times. The changes, as communicated through the bank’s vibrant Facebook page, KBank Live, outline two conditions to be met for compliance. First off, if you haven’t received an indication from the bank to act, breathe easy! There’s nothing you need to do. However, for those who do need to comply, the bank promises clear instructions starting from February 17, funneled through popular platforms like K PLUS, LINE BK, or MAKE…
In the quiet early hours of January 31st, the peace of Samkong Park Village was shattered by an unexpected calamity as a fierce blaze erupted in a two-storey home tucked away north of Phuket Town. The incident, which unfolded on Pracha Samakkee Road in Ratsada, left a 53-year-old local resident in absolute shock while unleashing extensive damage to the property. Responding promptly to the emergency call at approximately 12:20 am, the diligent Phuket City Police and firefighting teams rushed to the scene, embarking on a relentless hour-and-a-half battle to reign in the relentless flames. Witnessing her beloved sanctuary reduced to charred remnants, the homeowner, Chuleerat Saewong, was found in a state of shock. The immediate responders wasted no time in transporting her to Vachira Hospital to receive necessary medical care. Amidst the chaos, Chuleerat’s 23-year-old son, Patipol Phromma, shared his bewildering experience. He recounted how both he and his mother…
Oh, Pattaya! The sun-drenched haven on Thailand’s eastern coast is once again humming with the lively chatter of excited tourists, and if you tune in closely, you’re likely to hear a symphony of Russian and European accents. Yes, Pattaya has seen a remarkable surge in tourism this High Season, attracting globetrotters especially from Russia and across Europe. Led by Thanes Supharahasrangsi, the ever-enthusiastic president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association, Pattaya is clearly having a moment. On a recent report dated January 29, Mr. Supharahasrangsi shed light on the vibrant influx of foreign visitors roaming the sandy shores and bustling streets. It’s a sight for sore eyes, especially since many of these tourists are leaning towards extended stays, uplifting the local economy with more than just a splash of color and laughter. A survey by the tourism association revealed that accommodations that roll out the red carpet to Russian and…
When it comes to the tempestuous theater of Thai politics, nothing creates a fervor quite like Thaksin Shinawatra stepping into the limelight. A former premier with a penchant for stirring the pot, his mere involvement on the campaign trail is enough to turn seemingly ordinary events into spectacle. It’s much like adding jalapeños to your som tam – expect some heat! Currently, the Pheu Thai Party, venerated in Bangkok’s political circles as the orchestrators of a “super deal,” is navigating its precarious marriage with its formidable conservative coalition partners, Bhumjaithai and United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. Although the opposition is raring to unsheath its sharpest sword – a no-confidence motion – political prophets suggest that the coalition government, steered by the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration, won’t be sunk as easily as the Titanic. Thaksin, revered as the Pheu Thai puppet master, reportedly shook hands on a glittering deal in 2023 setting…
In what seems like a story ripped straight from a mystery novel, a British father has vanished into the bustling streets of Bangkok, Thailand, leaving family and friends back in Epping, Essex, in a state of heartbreak and confusion. James Sangwine, a 33-year-old British national, embarked on a journey to Bangkok on January 18 with hopes of catching up with a friend. However, since venturing out for a night of fun on January 20, he has inexplicably disappeared without a trace. For his partner, 38-year-old Katie Maybin, James’ absence loomed especially large as he missed his son’s seventh birthday, an event he would never ordinarily overlook. The family’s world was turned upside down when James failed to make his customary call—a habit he’d never broken before. Katie’s voice trembles as she clings to hope, saying, “He always calls, especially for our boy’s birthday, but this time, nothing.” What we do…